[sims] Manual creation of CTF For SIMS

[vikpaw]

I've heard of the add on for SIMS independent, but is there an add on for maintained schools/academies?

It's the same module, anyone can use it. It's just that mostly Indy schools use it. If you're selective, or have a lot to handle, it would be useful.

[bigdannyb79]

SIMS includes ATF import as standard. This is a government standard. The R&A Module is a suite of software that enhances the admissions process. It is an extra because there are a number of suppliers of this type of software and Capita has to ensure that competitors can compete. The module will work for any school that manages its own admissions.

 

wow the argument for charging for useful functionality is healthy competition ?!. Were talking about a simple csv import of student data and at least 3 other MIS systems I've used have this built in without worrying about anti competition. Poor excuse.

 

Its an MIS product - making it easy to get information in from a variety of sources is key to the core functionality.

[jmak]

Hmm

 

I think I'm out of my depth. I've downloaded the schemas from the link and don't really know what to do next. It's only 90 admissions per year and the data inputting isn't my job! I just wanted to make the process better and reduce the opportunities for errors. Moving to collecting the data in a spreadsheet at least means that we avoid the issues with handwriting, missing fields and the data can be copied and pasted. We're going to introduce Parent App Lite once all the pupils are in next term, so at least keeping on top of changes should be improved.

 

I don't have anything to practise on, so it'd need to upload straight to the live system without testing.

[PhilNeal]

wow the argument for charging for useful functionality is healthy competition ?!. Were talking about a simple csv import of student data and at least 3 other MIS systems I've used have this built in without worrying about anti competition. Poor excuse.

 

Its an MIS product - making it easy to get information in from a variety of sources is key to the core functionality.

 

SIMS has the official LA import system built in as standard - that is what most schools use as the LA is responsible for managing admissions in the vast majority of cases. Indy schools have different demands as do

Own Admissions schools and that is what R&A deals with. As these schools don’t get an ATF from an LA the specialist import is included. It is not a simple import because it has to try to match existing patents, validate addresses etc.

 

I’m afraid competition concerns have defined how products are sold for many years. At one time I would have added new capabilities without a second thought but these days much more thought is required. I’m no longer operational so am not in touch with current thinking!

[matt40k]

Seems to be a bit of confusion around admissions and data transfer. ATF \ CTF are just importing\exporting data (data transfer). Admissions is a process - the LA deals with it, happy days, import anyway. If you need to reject \ approve some - I believe SIMS has a way of doing some element of it - pretty sure I remember it having two versions, a basic (free) and a more advanced (paid) version - its just a patch to enable the function in SIMS.

 

You have to remember SIMS is a legacy system - when it was designed, admissions was done at the LA level. Academies weren't even thought of.

 

We're going to introduce Parent App Lite once all the pupils are in next term, so at least keeping on top of changes should be improved.

...Assuming you don't have a parent refuse permission

[jmak]

Seems to be a bit of confusion around admissions and data transfer. ATF \ CTF are just importing\exporting data (data transfer). Admissions is a process - the LA deals with it, happy days, import anyway. If you need to reject \ approve some - I believe SIMS has a way of doing some element of it - pretty sure I remember it having two versions, a basic (free) and a more advanced (paid) version - its just a patch to enable the function in SIMS.

 

You have to remember SIMS is a legacy system - when it was designed, admissions was done at the LA level. Academies weren't even thought of.

 

 

...Assuming you don't have a parent refuse permission

We're a maintained school, but we've never had an ATF - we just get a CSV file from the admissions team at County. Our admissions officer has just logged onto the portal and there's no sign of anywhere to obtain an ATF.

 

Wrt consent for the app, we'll invite them to access it and assume that if they register, they've consented. If not, it's down to them to tell us if details change (as is the case for all of them now, so it will be at least as good).

[PhilNeal]

Speak to your LA SIMS Support Unit - always assuming you use them. They will be able to assist.

[bigdannyb79]

You have to remember SIMS is a legacy system - when it was designed, admissions was done at the LA level. Academies weren't even thought of.

 

Systems can be developed though ?! Albeit in this case your correct its been very limited but not to worry its not like they charge a premium for a stagnant product . . .

[matt40k]

It's more a question of going back to the drawing board and starting from scratch - it's like going from wooden motte and bailey to steel and concrete bunker. Sometimes it easier to build something new then move over. SIMS8 anyone

[fox2]

Sorry to resurrect this thread!

 

We have this exact problem. LEA have provided admissions info, however we have the additional information we require for admission automatically populated in a spreadsheet via an online form that the parents complete. We would like to be able to take this spreadsheet and import it to SIMS, whether that's as a CSV or potentially an ATF. Does anyone have a blank ATF template or advice on how to create one. We have a previous ATF from LEA, but the duplicated entries would complicate any translation of data between the spreadsheet and a potential new ATF file.

 

Thanks

 

Correct.

 

That’s what I did, combined with reading the rules from the link I posted earlier, and the CDBS spreadsheet (same link) which is an almighty beast but contains for example the lookups for language, ethnicity, etc as they’re stored as WHBR, WHOT etc for White British, White Other etc.

 

It changes each year; so far I’ve just changed v15 to v16 to v17 but there will become a point where a field changes that I need to update.

[howartp]

Just replied to your pm.

 

I’m not “up” yet but will be doing our ATF as soon as I get to my desk.

 

Internet died on me last night or I’d have ours done and in SIMS by now.

[gh5000]

Sorry to resurrect this thread!

 

We have this exact problem. LEA have provided admissions info, however we have the additional information we require for admission automatically populated in a spreadsheet via an online form that the parents complete. We would like to be able to take this spreadsheet and import it to SIMS, whether that's as a CSV or potentially an ATF. Does anyone have a blank ATF template or advice on how to create one. We have a previous ATF from LEA, but the duplicated entries would complicate any translation of data between the spreadsheet and a potential new ATF file.

 

Thanks

ATF specification is here.

 

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/co-ordinated-admissions-2019-series-15-files

 

I would look through and see if it's worth the time doing this as you won't be able to import everything, but it could speed up your process of inputting contacts.

 

I've done similar, Google forms to sheets through AppsScript and the XML Service to create an ATF XML.

 

Or you can try loading the schema (downloaded from the above site) into Excel and go from there but I couldn't make.that work myself.

[Gwernos]

Any chance of getting a copy of that VBA? Looking at a similar solution. Thanks!

[Perera]

Dear Tony

Have you had any success in doing this?

Kind regards

Perera

Edited May 3, 2022 by Perera

[Erowland]

I would like to do the same rather than wait for LA data, i have details that we collected on a TEAMS form, but i am not sure how to add the data to pre admission pupils - if someone could advise thanks .